Sonic Frontiers writer, Ian Flynn, opens up about the game’s story and adapting it to the “Open-Zone” gameplay structure.
In an interview with IGN, Flynn spoke about writing Sonic Frontiers with SEGA. Additionally, he provided a brief overview of the story and commented on the game’s “melancholy” tone.
Flynn has worked on Sonic in one way or another since 2006. Everything from the Sonic Encyclo-speed-ia, Sonic the Hedgehog Archie comics, and the Sonic Boom TV show. When asked about what it been like writing Sonic Frontiers, here’s what Flynn had to say:
It’s been a very different experience to be sure. With the other tie-in media, I’m the one to pitch the story, the characters, the themes, etc. With Sonic Frontiers, SEGA provided the story, backstory, plot beats, usable characters, and so on. So it was a very different approach to telling a Sonic story than what I’m used to. All that aside, it was a dream come true to work on a major Sonic title like this… I hope everyone enjoys what I was able to bring to the table.
Sonic Frontiers’ Story
When asked to provide a brief overview of Sonic Frontiers, Flynn stated:
Sonic, Tails, and Amy embark [on] the Starfall Islands to investigate the disappearance of the Chaos Emeralds. Things take a turn for the dramatic immediately, and Sonic is left alone with a lot of questions. The story is his journey to uncover all the mysteries of the islands, rescue his friends, and discover how everything ties together.
Surely a non-linear game would affect the story, right? Flynn spoke to those challenges:
The biggest question was how to pace out each story beat when the player has the freedom to take the islands at their own pace. That had to be massaged and revised as the game’s structure took shape. It’ll be interesting to see how it all comes together in the finished project.
Sonic Frontiers’ “Open-Zone” gameplay looks a bit lonely. The atmosphere of the mysterious island exudes haunting isolation. When asked about the harmony between story and gameplay, Flynn said:
Melancholy is a good word for the story overall. Sonic’s indomitable spirit carries him throughout the adventure, and it’s what allows him to help each of his friends as they tackle their own personal challenges. Someone else you encounter will have their very identity shaped by their interactions with Sonic, which isn’t always a comfortable process. Then there [are] the secrets of the Starfall Islands themselves and how the tragedies of the past have led to the adventure today. Sonic’s “never say die” attitude is certainly put to the test. All that is to say that, while it can feel very lonely, it never feels hopeless because you’ve got Sonic on your side.
Flynn added:
For new players, I hope they enjoy their time with Sonic, get to know his friends, and are satisfied with the journey to uncover all the mysteries of the game. For veteran players, I hope they enjoy the individual character arcs and the threads I tried to weave between Sonic Frontiers and the rest of the Sonic Series.
Flynn Comments On Sonic Fanbase
Everyone in the gaming space knows that the Sonic fanbase is extremely passionate. Team Sonic’s boss, Takashi Iizuka recently responded to fan feedback for Sonic Frontiers by saying, “… they don’t understand.” When asked what the fanbase means to Flynn, he responded by saying:
They’re a constant source of inspiration. Their passion for the franchise is unquenchable, their creativity is boundless, and [their] loyalty unshakable. It’s always thrilling and fulfilling when something I’ve contributed to gets embraced by the fandom. They serve as a constant reminder of where I came from, and why I enjoyed being part of the Sonic Series for so long. And they’ve steadily been joining the ranks of official contributors, helping to shape the future for the next generation, which is very exciting.
Our Thoughts
Personally, I’m all for a Sonic game with a darker tone. I doubt the story will be so dark that I put the controller down as an existential crisis washes over me. But I like the idea of a more subdued Sonic experience. With face-paced gameplay and Sonic’s determined outlook intact; I think Sonic Frontiers could be what the series needs.
But that’s just my opinion. What do you think about a more “melancholy” story for the Blue Blur? Let us know in the comments below!
